vagabond blog: thoughts from the saddle

August 20, 2009

My Old Friend

It isn’t even gone yet and I’m already getting sentimental. I’m talking about my garage companion for the past 3 years, my Ducati Multistrada. As of right now, it is a long way from being sold, but it is for sale, something I thought I would never do. You have to understand that normally I trade bikes every year or two. I have made it a personal goal (obsession?) to own as many different bikes as I can. The Multi, however, has found a place in my heart. I have no real desire to see it go. It has easily been the most versatile and enjoyable bike I have ever owned. If it does not sell, I will not be crushed. Funny but true, the most difficult bikes for me to let go of have all been Ducatis. I suppose there is just something about the presence of a bright red Duc. It is like an exotic car; it may not always be practical, but it sure looks good in your garage!

Sitting here this morning, a John Hiatt song came to mind: “My old friend, you make me feel young again.” I’m a long way from young, but the older I get the more I am drawn to these “young men’s” bikes. I guess I should be looking at Goldwings and Trikes, but instead I am heading to Louisville in the morning with my friend Matt to demo a Triumph Sprint, a sport touring bike that is considerably more sport than tour. It reminds me of a time I was riding the back roads of Virginia and came across an BMW K bike rider running the mountains quite aggressively. We saw one another and stopped to talk. He took off his helmet, and much to my surprise, revealed a gray headed “older” gentleman. My kind of guy!

Soon I might find myself the owner of my very first Triumph. Or, I might just hang on to my old friend a little longer. I’ll keep you posted.

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riding, roasting & random nonsense

I have been riding motorcycles since age 7 and roasting coffee since 2002. Motorhead Coffee came about as a merger of those two passions. When I owned a wholesale coffee roasting business, I provided “Motorhead Coffee” to various groups, rallies and businesses in the motorcycle industry and the name just stuck.

This space is not just about coffee or bikes, but about the freedom of the road, the pleasure of the ride...and the desire to stop living someone else's life & and pursue your own passions.